Woman arrested for killing grandchild

Sharon Mathala | Tuesday August 26, 2014 13:52

 

Family members told Mmegi the scuffle between the two women ensued after a neighbor brought the older woman’s children who he said he had caught having sex in the nearby bushes. 

“I was not home when it happened. I came home late that night and went straight to bed,” said the older woman’s brother.

“The next day I had a trip to Gaborone. Whilst in the city, I received a call from one of our relatives who told me the story. I was shocked.  They told me that after the neighbour brought the young boys home, my sister punished them, which is fine because when children are out of order, they must be disciplined.

“However, my sister was seemingly enraged because she used fists and hurled insults at the children,” he narrated.   He continued: “I am also told that my sister’s older daughter, the infant’s mother rightfully so, tried to intervene. I hear she begged her mother to use a stick rather than fists on the children but all hell broke loose.” After her daughter tried to mediate, the woman tried to hit her with a stone.  Unfortunately it hit the infant, which the mother had carried on her back.

“I hear she was quickly rushed to the local clinic where she was referred to Princes Marina for operation. She lost her life five days later,” he said.

One of the woman’s teenage children corroborated her uncle’s story.

“I do not remember the time it happened but I had just got home from school. I saw my sister and mother arguing. I then saw her pick a stone and throw it at her. My sister was carrying her daughter on her back. The stone hit the infant on the head and caused a big gash just above her left ear. When my sister ran to the police station, my mother followed her,” she explained.  Broadhurst Police Superintendent Bonosi Molapisi confirmed the matter, adding that investigations are ongoing. The 48-year-old woman, who will appear in court next week, faces a possible murder charge.

The baby’s mother could not speak to Mmegi as she said she was still grieving. The infant has since been buried.